『周易』의 憂患意識에 關한 考察

Abstract

In ancient times when the scope of thought was limited phenomena surrounding man were regarded as the work of absolute power, which led to the worship of the Almighty. In the process of history the independence of man had been recognized. Consequently man was asked to deal with fortunes/misfortunes in a positive manner. Responsibility for reality was emphasized. Responsibility and a sense of duty for reality were reflected in the awareness of misfortunes. The awareness emerged during the transition period from the religious Shang dynasty to the humanistic Chou dynasty. In this paper the realization process of human independence extending from the Shang dynasty to the Spring and Autumn period was studied. The awareness of misfortunes in the Book of Changes is related to responsibility and a sense of duty for reality. The Book of Changes explains how to overcome the misfortunes of reality with responsibility and a sense of duty. The Book introduces the way to overcome misfortunes. First man is asked to have a feeling of awe and caution. Man could be free from faults with self-reflection. Second man is asked to correct wrong to be free from faults. This can be done by separating fortunes from misfortunes, understanding the indication of the movement of good/evil/fortune/misfortune, and correcting wrong. Third, man is asked to have virtue and self-discipline ; man can deal with world matters with virtue being accumulated inside and the capability of handling relevant issues. Fourthly, man is asked to attain human nature. Man's activities based on well-preserved human nature will go in accordance with the Tao of universe. One's human nature shares identical substances with other man and things surrounding him. So when man fully exercises his nature, he can realize the oneness with a myriad of things. This is the way how incomplete man can overcome misfortunes.